SCHOLARSHIPS

Opening Doors to the Arts for All

Since the fund’s founding in 2019, we’ve awarded over 100 scholarships, distributing more than $33,000 in tuition support, to help young dancers and musicians who might otherwise never have access to the arts.

In 2024, we took an important step to make this support sustainable: a portion of all donations made to The Vanaver Caravan each year now goes directly to the scholarship fund. This means that every contribution—no matter how it’s designated—helps create access to the arts for students and families who need it most.

Thanks to the continued success of our Dance Institute fundraisers—including Harvest Fest, the Summer Showcase, and our Winter Raffle—we’re now able to offer tuition assistance as needed without requiring earmarked gifts. It’s a reflection of how deeply our community values inclusion, creativity, and opportunity for all.

Why It Matters

Dance and music have the power to transform lives. They teach discipline and teamwork, spark imagination, and foster empathy and self-expression. When students learn and perform together—across ages, backgrounds, and abilities—they discover what it means to be part of something larger than themselves.

By giving to our scholarship fund, you are not just supporting a student—you are helping build a more inclusive and connected world through the arts.

“The scholarship made it possible for my daughter to dance this year. The joy, confidence, and community she’s found are priceless.”
— Parent of CaravanKids student

Betsey Bergman Memorial Fund

The Betsey Bergman Memorial Scholarship Fund was founded in 2019 through the generous donations of Cheryl DeSilva, Beverly Burns, and Phyllis Hart (Board Member). Their vision was to honor the life of Betsey Bergman (1927–2019)—a lifelong advocate for dance, mental health, and community.

Betsey’s journey was extraordinary. She earned degrees in Physical Education (University of Wisconsin) and Social Work (NYU) and was a founding partner of Family Counseling of Poughkeepsie. Later in life, her passion for dance and movement therapy led her back to NYU and Lesley College for advanced study in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

For over three decades, Betsey worked as a therapist and educator, using movement and art to help people of all abilities express themselves and heal. Her lifelong love of music and dance connected her to the early folk revival community in New York City—including Pete Seeger and other pioneers of the Greenwich Village scene.

Even into her 80s, Betsey continued dancing, learning, and traveling to festivals and dance camps. Her spirit embodied the belief that art is for everyone, at every age.

“We know Betsey would have wanted to provide the opportunity for young people to experience the same passion for dance and music that inspired her throughout her life. We believe she would be honored to have The Vanaver Caravan as part of her legacy.”
— Cheryl DeSilva, Beverly Burns, and Phyllis Hart

Scholarship Heroes

These are the generous donors who make it possible to grant scholarships to students in need—because they believe the arts should never be reserved for an elite few. Thank you for helping The Vanaver Caravan live its mission: to use dance and music to promote peace, celebrate our shared humanity, and create meaningful connections among people from every walk of life.

Scholarship Fund Application

While a small number of full scholarships are awarded, the majority of the awards are partial scholarships. Award determination is based primarily on financial need. The application below must be complete to be considered.